Miami Dolphins must make playoffs, no excuses

Dolphins have made significant changes and it's time to see results

DAVIE — Back in March, when newly-signed Dolphins linebacker Dannell Ellerbe was asked what lured him to the Miami Dolphins, he said it was partly an attitude portrayed to him by coach Joe Philbin.

Ellerbe, a free agent coming off a Super Bowl victory with the Baltimore Ravens, said Philbin told him, “‘We want to get what you’ve got. We want to get to the Super Bowl.”

Sadly, that phrase hasn’t been uttered around the Dolphins’ training facility since that day.

That’s because there’s an overwhelming tendency to accept mediocrity when it comes to the Dolphins, and that attitude starts with owner Steve Ross and flows right through the organization and on to the beaten-down fans.

No one expects success.

When Ross spoke with reporters on Wednesday he said all the politically-correct, sanitized things. But he also said nothing when he was quizzed about his definition of success for this team.

“It’s really seeing progress as this team develops because I’m looking to bring a team to South Florida to win consistently,” he said, “and that’s the most important thing.”

Wrong.

Playoffs represent success.

I applaud Ross for wanting to bring a consistent winner. I truly believe that’s what he wants in the big picture. But someone has to raise the expectation level.

The playoffs need to be the standard of excellence for the Dolphins, not a 9-7 season and narrowly missing the playoffs.

And someone in the organization needs to say it.

Get to the playoffs. There’s nothing else, there’s no excuses.

The table is set. This past offseason was what this organization had been shrewdly building toward. It didn’t re-sign Jake Long, Reggie Bush, Sean Smith, Anthony Fasano and others so it could go out and spend close to $200 million on Mike Wallace, Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler, Brent Grimes, Dustin Keller, Tyson Clabo and others.

That was the plan. They accomplished their goal.

Then the Dolphins traded up to No. 3 in the draft to get defensive end Dion Jordan, the top pass rusher in the draft. Well done. But you’d hope they got him to be part of a good team.

Good teams go to the playoffs.

The Dolphins should be expected to get to the playoffs this year. If not now, when?

Consider this:

In the last two years this team has changed its head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, special teams coach, quarterback, running back, No. 1 wide receiver, tight end, two of its three starting linebackers, both cornerbacks, and its left tackle.

They’ve had the Nos. 3 and 8 picks in the draft and signed the No. 1 free agent on the market (Wallace).

They’ve spent more than $150 million in free agency.

And now Ross is going to tell the fans, “You might have to wait ‘til next year?”

That’s unacceptable.

For the past few years it seems as though the Dolphins have wanted it both ways. They ask the fans to be excited and buy tickets and merchandise with the new logo, yet all they ask of the team is to show progress.

They’re asking a bigger commitment from their fans than they are from their players.

Let’s look at the on-field changes in another way. In an era where passing and defending the pass is crucial, this team, in the last two years, has gotten a new quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, pass rusher, and two new cornerbacks.

Now add that to one of the best defensive lines in football.

Shouldn’t that be enough to expect a playoff appearance? No one is saying win 14 games, or win the Super Bowl. Just get to the playoffs.

This organization has had four consecutive losing seasons and one playoff appearance in the last 11 years. And nothing will change unless expectations change.

Set the bar higher.

Expect more.

The Dolphins don’t talk about building toward a Super Bowl. They talk about improving day-by-day, game-by-game. Baby steps. I’ll again refer to Ross’ definition of success – progress and improvement.

Someone has to expect to get to the playoffs.

This team has overhauled practically every game-changing position on the team and coaching staff since 2011. It’s time to get to the playoffs. Now. This year.